Photos: GoHikers volunteer with Skagit Trail Builders in June 2023.
The Mountaineers GoHike Course
Our April 27th work party is setting a new record. Thanks to efforts of Liz McNett Crowl, leaders and participants from The Mountaineers GoHike Course will be joining us this session, raising our roster from 30 to 60!
WE LOVE IT.
Liz and a friend created the GoHike Beginners Course in 2020. They offer hikes and urban walks and provide training on related topics, like gear, conditioning, nutrition, hydration, and trip planning.
The program is designed for new hikers and those returning to recreation after time-off. The course offers an opportunity to start easy and progress at a comfortable pace in a supportive and inclusive social environment.
During the 6-month course, participants attend Low Impact Recreation and Land Management 101 e-learning courses, complete at minimum of 6 hours of stewardship activities, and go on at least one organized trip per month.
Liz is a long-time supporter of Skagit Trail Builders, going back to our time at Little Mountain Park. Volunteering on our trail work crew is a great fit for the course’s stewardship requirement. It also introduces participants to a beautiful new location for easy hiking!
GoHike participants are from all over Washington State and we are so honored to have them give their time to our project!
The Work Party Plan
In preparation for this incredible 60-person work party, we have purchased additional tools and considered the best use of volunteer time and energy.
Here’s the plan. We are going to create 2 teams:
Team One will work on Hill Creek Trail in the upper meadow (also called the “Big Meadow” – it’s where we planted wildflowers and maple trees last year and broke through the treeline near the old barn this year).
This team will improve the newly roughed-in trail corridor, digging root crowns and removing organic debris, among other tasks
Team Two will be working on trail tread in the same area, hauling mineral soil from a nearby borrow pit, spreading a compacting to create a level, sustainable surface.
Photos: Community volunteers at work on Hill Creek Trail, 2024.
Directions, Instructions, and so forth…
Parking, sign-in, and our caffeination station will be at the corner of Hub Drive and Planters Rd on the Northern State Hospital campus (SWIFT Campus) in Sedro Woolley. (For veteran volunteers, that’s the usual place).
After greeting and sign-in, we will walk to the Pump House Trailhead, about 1/4 mile from the parking lot.
This is where we will hold the safety training and take our group photo before the session. It is also where we will meet for lunch. The big blue tent and portable toilet will be located here.
Bring lunch and water. Dress for variable weather…we are expecting rain on Saturday (it is the PNWs, after all!)
Questions? Please reach out to us!
Skagit Trail Builders 
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